a SOUP - September 2022
Magical Musings
- Kalina Dlugosz

You know what? I tend to get excited when I hear the new theme for SOUP, and it sounds like it'll be soooo easy to figure out... and then I get writer's block. Or I get so many ideas that I can't pin one down. This issue falls into that second category.

Who doesn't love a Frivolous Feast? A large get-together with lots of good food and either laidback or excited conversations. I'll tell you one thing; our Quidditch team absolutely loves to have elaborate feasts together. Sometimes on our own as sort of a team-bonding situation and other times with our adversaries from Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, and Gryffindor. We all know when and what to leave out on the pitch.

I remember this one party, it was during yuletime -oh, about four years ago? We had all gotten together to attend the Ravenclaw team's holiday party, and chaos ensued, as it usually does. It started with talk of butterbeer with caramel drizzles and whipped cream with cherries on top (and potentially of firewhiskey, but we won't talk about that...) and quickly devolved into a discussion I vividly recall that involved 'an unwanted glitter attack' that may or may not have ended up occurring. *cough* It's not like there are pictures or anything to remind us of the 'heinous glitter invasion' of 2018. My partner-in-crime somehow ended up being thrown under a proverbial Thestral-drawn carriage that involved rainbow-colored Thestrals.

And oh my, who could ever fail to mention birthday parties when talking about frivolous feasts? They are the epitome of excessive food, hijinks, and romance. I recall one such occasion that happened to be held during a rather large and important Dueling competition for our dearest Tabitha. Have you ever listened in on a conversation about chocolates for over an hour? I have, and I am still unsure as to whether or not I'm happy about it. Maxwell and Tostada went on and on about it... all before lunch was even served. Thorn and Jasmine were so much sweeter than any of the proffered desserts. But boy was it grand, held at a seriously posh hotel.

If you prefer a more laidback or whimsical celebration, there was also a surprise party for our very own Lugh Hughes that Jade over in Ravenclaw helped me throw out on the Quidditch pitch. Lots of garish decorations, pin the tail on Umbridge, glitter of all types. There was also a ginormous cake in the shape of a dragon along with enchanted purple butterflies and a sock hockey game organized by dancing sheep. Don't believe me? You should have been there. The fireworks and explosions never ended; I can still hear them ringing in my ears. Plus, where there's a Lugh, there's a plethora of supplies for s'mores!

There was also a New Year's Eve party that our captains threw together as a sort of get to know your teammates thing over at Twickenham Stadium. They were kind enough to let us invite some of our friends from all Houses as well... though they failed to tell said friends who had actually invited them. I'm surprised they showed up. This was a glorious feast, however. From Kjøttkaker and Lefse to Sauerbraten and Schnitzel to Spanish Tapas, the staff went all out and provided us with so many types of food to go along with the 'normal' English finger foods. It sure did get rather windy and foggy for a place held within several charms to keep the weather out. Not to mention a rather large snowglobe effect with a brilliant sandstorm within it. I'm not sure they ever did get to the bottom of that.

I've probably babbled long enough (or even too much), so I'll just leave you with this. Food is something that I absolutely enjoy -both talking about and eating. What's your favorite dessert? Does it have to be a specific flavor? Do you prefer a certain type of cuisine to all the rest? Let us know your thoughts over in the Common Room SOUP thread!

I'll see you next month with more of my inane ramblings, Kalina.